JP2005258523A - Device for measuring number of sheets - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately measure the number of sheet materials whose center have core materials, such as multi-laminated corrugated cardboard sheets. <P>SOLUTION: A sheet layered product 11 where a plurality of corrugated cardboard sheets 12 are laminated is set, in a status with the laminating direction being horizontal, and a slider 3 is moved along the edge face of the sheet laminated product 11. Three sensor top end parts 5a to 7a are arranged in the vertical direction in a slider 3; when the edge faces of the corrugated cardboard sheets 12 are irradiated with spot lights emitted from the respective sensor top end parts 5a to 7a, all the spot lights are reflected and received, in such a status that each sensor passes through liners 15 and 16; and at least one spot light is emitted to a clearance part 17 of the core member 14 in such a status that each sensor passes through a core member 14 of a waveform so that at least one reflected light can be prevented from being received. A control unit 18 counts the number, when all the reflected lights are received, and sets a value obtained by subtracting 1 from the count value c as the number of sheets T. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet number measuring apparatus capable of accurately measuring the number of stacked sheet materials.

  Conventionally, a sheet material having a core material in the center, such as a corrugated cardboard sheet cut to a predetermined size, a flat corrugated cardboard sheet that has been processed to produce a corrugated box from the cut corrugated cardboard sheet, Shipped in a state of being stacked and bundled for each number. At the time of shipment, it is necessary to count the number of sheets of the laminated sheet material (hereinafter referred to as “sheet laminated body”) and confirm that there is no excess or deficiency.

  In many cases, the number of sheets in the sheet laminate is visually counted, but there is a problem that a counting error tends to occur as the number of sheets increases.

  As a countermeasure, for example, it is possible to calculate how many sheet materials can be cut out from a large sheet base material and grasp the number of sheet materials to be shipped based on the number of sheets. In the method, the number of sheets cannot be measured on the arrival side.

  On the other hand, it is conceivable to estimate the number of sheets by measuring the stacking height or weight of the sheet stack, but since there is variation in the stacking thickness or weight of the sheet material, an accurate number of sheets should be determined. It cannot be calculated.

Therefore, various sheet number measuring apparatuses that automatically measure the number of bundled sheet stacks have been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-194124 discloses a sheet number measuring device that captures an image of a stacking end surface of a bundle of sheet stacks using an imaging unit and detects an excess or shortage of the number of sheet stacks based on the image data. Is disclosed.
JP 2001-194124 A

  However, in the technique disclosed in the above-described publication, after all the captured image data is binarized, for example, the sheet material must be identified, and the number of stacked sheets must be calculated based on the identified sheet material. There is a problem that image processing becomes complicated.

  Furthermore, when the number of sheet stacks is large, the imaging means must be moved backward to capture the entire sheet stack at a position relatively distant from the sheet stack, resulting in a problem of poor space efficiency.

  On the other hand, when imaging is performed at a position where the imaging unit is close to the sheet stack, the imaging unit must be moved along the stacking end face, which causes a problem that the image processing is further complicated.

  As a countermeasure, it is conceivable to measure the number of sheets by moving the sheet end surface with a contact provided on the contact counter, but the other surface of the sheet material is easily damaged by the contact of the contact. In addition, dust adheres to the tip of the contact and the like, and malfunctions easily occur. Therefore, it is necessary to perform maintenance at a relatively short period, and there is a problem that work efficiency is poor.

  Therefore, the object of the present invention is to be able to accurately measure the number of laminated sheets in a space-efficient and simple process, to prevent malfunctions, to simplify maintenance and to manage. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet number measuring device that can easily reduce the cost.

  In order to achieve the above object, the first invention of the present invention is a sheet number measuring apparatus for measuring the number of stacked sheet materials in which a plurality of rows of gaps are formed at substantially constant intervals along the sheet surface direction. At least three photosensors arranged along the arrangement direction of the gaps and facing the end surface of the sheet material where the gaps are formed, and the intervals between the photosensors. One of the gaps is held in a state of being set narrower than the maximum width in the column direction, and the optical sensors are received by the optical sensors, moving means for moving the optical sensors along the stacking direction of the sheet material. The sheet material detecting means for detecting the passage of the sheet material based on the reflected light from the end face of the sheet material, and the number of the sheet material is counted when the passage of the sheet material is detected by the sheet material detecting means. Sheet Characterized in that it comprises a number calculating means.

  In such a configuration, when each optical sensor passes over the end face of the sheet material, there are regions where all the optical sensors receive reflected light and regions where at least one optical sensor does not receive reflected light. Therefore, the number of sheet materials can be counted by detecting the light receiving state of the optical sensor.

  The second invention of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the interval between the photosensors is held in a state set narrower than the maximum width in the column direction of one of the gaps.

  In such a configuration, when each optical sensor passes through the gap of the sheet material, at least one optical sensor that does not receive the reflected light is always formed, and therefore the number passing through the end surface of the sheet material must be measured without error. Can do.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, each of the optical sensors includes one light projecting fiber and a light emitting side end of the light projecting fiber that is substantially parallel to the light projecting fiber. And at least one light receiving fiber that is bundled with the light, and the light emitted from the light projecting fiber is irradiated at a substantially right angle to the end face of the sheet material, and the reflected light is received by the light receiving fiber. It is characterized by.

  In such a configuration, the light emitted from the light projecting fiber is irradiated at a substantially right angle to the end face of the sheet material, and the reflected light is substantially parallel to the light projecting fiber at the light emitting side end of the light projecting fiber. The light is received by at least one light-receiving fiber that is bundled with each other. Since the light is irradiated at a substantially right angle to the end surface of the sheet material and the reflected light is received, the light is obliquely applied to the end surface of the sheet material and the reflected light is received. , Light scattering is reduced and good sensitivity can be obtained.

  A fourth invention is characterized in that, in the first to third inventions, each of the optical sensors is arranged shifted in the moving direction of the moving means.

  In such a configuration, since each photosensor is arranged in a state shifted with respect to its moving direction, for example, even if a gap is formed between adjacent sheet materials, one photosensor is placed above the gap. Since the other optical sensor passes through the end surface of the sheet material and receives the reflected light when passing through the sheet material, the number of sheets is counted by recognizing the gap between the sheet materials from the light receiving state at this time. Erroneous detection can be prevented.

  A fifth invention is characterized in that, in the fourth invention, the shift amount of each of the optical sensors is set in a range of the thickness of the liner of the sheet material in the moving direction of the moving means.

  In such a configuration, the amount of deviation of each optical sensor is set within the range of the liner plate thickness in the direction of movement of each optical sensor, so when each optical sensor passes over the end face of the liner, be sure to There is a region where the optical sensor receives the reflected light. Therefore, the number of sheet materials can be counted from the light receiving state when each optical sensor passes over the end face of the liner.

  A sixth invention is the first to fifth inventions, wherein the sheet material is composed of a liner and a corrugated core material bonded to the liner, and the interval between the optical sensors is the corrugated core material. It is characterized by being narrower than the interval between adjacent peaks.

  In such a configuration, the reflected light from the end surfaces of the liner and the corrugated core material is received by the optical sensor, while the reflected light is not received from the gap portion of the corrugated core material. When the light passes through, all the optical sensors receive the reflected light. On the other hand, when each optical sensor passes over the end face of the corrugated core material, the interval between the optical sensors is narrower than the interval between adjacent peaks of the corrugated core material, so at least one optical sensor always reflects the reflected light. An area where light is not received occurs. Therefore, the number of sheet materials can be counted by detecting the light receiving state of each optical sensor.

  According to the present invention, since the number of stacked sheet materials is detected by the optical sensor, not only is the space efficiency good, but the number of stacked sheet stacks can be accurately measured by simple processing. Cost reduction can be realized.

  Further, since it is a non-contact type, it is difficult for malfunction to occur, maintenance can be simplified, and management becomes easy.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sheet number measuring apparatus.

  Reference numeral 1 in FIG. 1 denotes an inspection stage, and a guide table 2 is disposed on one side of the inspection stage 1. A guide groove 2a is formed in the guide table 2, and a slider 3 is movably supported as a moving means in the guide groove 2a. A servo motor 4 is fixed to one end of the guide table 2. A slider 3 is connected to the servo motor 4 via a ball screw (not shown), and the slider 3 is reciprocated along the guide groove 2a in synchronization with the rotation of the servo motor 4.

  The slider 3 holds the sensor tip portions 5a, 6a, 7a of the first to third optical sensors 5, 6, 7 in a state of being arranged in a straight line in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the first optical sensor 5 is composed of one light projecting fiber 8 and one light receiving fiber that is bundled substantially parallel to the light projecting fiber 8 on the exit surface side of the light projecting fiber 8. 9 and an optical lens 10 for forming spot light 5b, 6b, 7b on an end face of a corrugated cardboard sheet 12 to be described later.

  Since the second and third optical sensors 6 and 7 have the same structure as the first optical sensor 5, the light projecting fibers and the light receiving fibers constituting the second and third optical sensors 6 and 7 are The same reference numerals as those of the light projecting fiber 8 and the light receiving fiber 9 of the one optical sensor 5 are given and the description thereof is omitted.

  In this case, the light receiving fiber 9 provided in each of the optical sensors 5, 6, 7 may be composed of two or more fibers arranged so as to sandwich or surround the light projecting fiber 8.

  Further, each sensor tip 5 a, 6 a, 7 a is held with respect to the slider 3 in a state in which the emission and incidence directions are directed substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the slider 3 and substantially in the horizontal direction.

  On the other hand, reference numeral 11 denotes a sheet laminate. This sheet laminate 11 is formed by laminating a large number of cardboard sheets 12 as sheet materials cut into a predetermined size and binding them using a binding tool 13 such as a string. In this embodiment, the cardboard sheet 12 is a double-sided cardboard. A seat is used.

  Each laminated double-sided corrugated cardboard sheet (corrugated cardboard sheet 12) includes a core material 14 formed in a corrugated shape, and liners 15 and 16 bonded to both surfaces of the core material 14. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the core member 14 and the liners 15 and 16 are integrated by bonding the inner surfaces of the liners 15 and 16 and the top surface 14 a of the core member 14. In addition, the core material 14 and the liners 15 and 16 form a gap portion 17 having a mountain-shaped cross section. Naturally, each gap portion 17 is parallel from the one end surface to the other end surface along the surfaces of the liners 15 and 16. It is extended to.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a reference surface 2b is formed on the end surface of the guide table 2 on the side where the optical sensors 5, 6 and 7 are directed. The reference surface 2b is for making the distance between the end surface of the sheet laminate 11 and the sensor tip portions 5a, 6a, 7a constant, and the sheet laminate 11 has an end surface on which the gap portion 17 is formed. It is placed on the inspection stage 1 in contact with the reference surface 2b and with its stacking direction oriented in the horizontal direction.

  The sensor bases of the optical sensors 5, 6, 7 are connected to the control unit 18. Reference numeral 19 denotes a monitor that displays the measured number of sheets.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 18 includes a light source unit 20, a light receiving unit 21, and an inspection calculation unit 25. The light source unit 20 is provided with a power source unit 26 and three light emitting elements 27 a, 27 b, 27 c made of light emitting diodes, etc., and drive signals supplied from the power source unit 26 by the light emitting elements 27 a, 27 b, 27 c are provided. Is emitted. An incident surface of the light projecting fiber 8 provided in each of the optical sensors 5, 6 and 7 is opposed to each of the light emitting elements 27a, 27b and 27c.

  The light receiving unit 21 is provided with three light receiving elements 22, 23, and 24 made of photodiodes and the like. The light receiving elements 22, 23, and 24 are provided in the light sensors 5, 6, and 7, respectively. The light exiting surfaces of the light receiving fibers 9 are opposed to each other. Further, each light receiving element 22, 23, 24 is connected to a pulse generation circuit 28, 29, 30 for converting an analog signal into a rectangular wave and outputting it, and each of the pulse generation circuits 28, 29, 30 is an inspection operation unit. 25.

  When each of the light emitting elements 27a, 27b, and 27c emits light, the light is incident on the incident surface of the light projecting fiber 8 provided in each of the optical sensors 5, 6, and 7, and is emitted from the light emitting surface of each light projecting fiber 8 by the optical lens 10. As shown in FIG. 2, spot light 5 b, 6 b, 7 b is formed on the end surface of the sheet laminate 11 by being condensed in a predetermined manner. The reflected lights of the spot lights 5b, 6b, and 7b are incident on the incident surface of the light receiving fiber 9 provided in the optical sensors 5, 6, and 7, and the light receiving elements 22, Light is received at 23 and 24.

  FIG. 4A shows the trajectories of the spot lights 5b, 6b, and 7b formed on the end face of the corrugated cardboard sheet 12. FIG. The diameter of each spot light 5b, 6b, 7b is set to a value that can detect the plate thickness of the liners 15, 16 with high sensitivity. The distance d between the spot lights 5b, 6b, and 7b is set to be slightly narrower than the distance P between the top surfaces 14a of the core members 14 of the corrugated cardboard sheets 12, that is, the maximum width of each gap portion 17 ( d <P), and the total sum (2d) of the distances d between the respective spot lights 5b, 6b, 7b is set to be wider than the distance P between the top surfaces 14a of the core member 14.

  Accordingly, when the spot lights 5b, 6b, and 7b pass over the liners 15 and 16, the reflected light of the spot lights 5b, 6b, and 7b is received by the light receiving elements 22, 23, and 24, and the received light amount is obtained. A corresponding output is generated. On the other hand, when the spot light 5b, 6b, 7b passes on the core member 14, at least one spot light 5a (or 6a, 7a) is emitted to the gap portion 17, and therefore, at least one light receiving element 22 (or 23). , 24) produces almost no output.

  The amount of light received by each of the light receiving elements 22, 23, 24 is converted into a rectangular wave by the pulse generation circuits 28, 29, 30 and output. 4B to 4D show signals output from the pulse generation circuits 28, 29, and 30. FIG. When the spot lights 5b, 6b, and 7b pass over the liners 15 and 16, the reflected light is received by the light receiving elements 22, 23, and 24, so that the H signals from the pulse generating circuits 28, 29, and 30 are almost simultaneously. Is output. On the other hand, when each spot light 5b, 6b, 7b passes on the core member 14, at least one spot light 5a (or 6a, 7a) is emitted onto the gap 17, so that a certain pulse generation circuit 28 ( Alternatively, the H signal is not output from 29, 30).

  As shown in FIG. 5, the test calculation unit 25 includes an AND circuit 33 that connects each pulse generation circuit 28, 29, and 30 to its input terminal, and a number calculation circuit 34 that connects to the output terminal of the AND circuit 33. A monitor 19 is connected to the number calculating circuit 34. When an H signal is simultaneously input from each of the pulse generation circuits 28, 29, and 30 from the AND circuit 33, an H signal is output from its output terminal as shown in FIG. 4 (e).

  The number calculation circuit 34 counts the H signal output from the AND circuit 33 and calculates the number. That is, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the liners 15 and 16 of the corrugated cardboard sheets 12 adjacent to each other are joined with almost no gap, the spot lights 5b, 6b and 7b irradiated to the joined portions are received. Thus, the signals output from the pulse generation circuits 28, 29, and 30 become one H signal having a long pulse width.

  Accordingly, the sheet number calculation circuit 34 counts the H signal output from the AND circuit 33 and outputs a value obtained by subtracting 1 from the count value c as the sheet number T (T = c−1).

  In the case where the laminated corrugated sheet 12 is a flat corrugated cardboard that has been processed to produce a corrugated cardboard box, since one corrugated sheet 12 is composed of two sheet materials, the number calculating circuit At 34, 1/2 of the value obtained by subtracting 1 from the count value c of the H signal output from the AND circuit 33 is output as the number of sheets T (T = (c−1) / 2).

Similarly, when the corrugated cardboard sheet 12 is a double-sided cardboard, the number of sheets T when the corrugated cardboard sheet 12 is formed of one sheet material is:
T = (c-1) / 2
Further, the number of sheets T when this double-sided cardboard is a flat cardboard before assembly processed to make a cardboard box,
T = ((c-1) / 2) / 2
It becomes.

  Next, a procedure for measuring the number of sheets of corrugated cardboard sheets 12 bound to the sheet laminate 11 using the sheet number measuring apparatus having such a configuration will be described.

  First, the sheet laminate 11 is placed on the inspection stage 1. Next, the end surface in the direction in which the gap 17 formed in the core material 14 of each corrugated cardboard sheet 12 constituting the sheet laminate 11 can be seen is brought into contact with the reference surface 2b of the guide table 2 and positioned. Is set in a posture extending in the horizontal direction (see FIG. 1).

  At that time, the type of the cardboard sheet 12 is input to the control unit 18. The type of the corrugated cardboard sheet 12 includes a shape (a sheet shape or a folded flat state before assembly), a step type (double-sided or double-sided), and the like. When the type of the cardboard sheet 12 is input, a calculation formula corresponding to the type of the cardboard sheet 12 is set in the inspection calculation unit 25 of the control unit 18.

  Next, when an inspection start switch (not shown) provided in the control unit 18 is turned on, a drive signal is output from the control unit 18 to the servo motor 4 fixed to the guide table 2. Moves the slider 3 along the guide groove 2a via a ball screw (not shown) or the like.

  In addition, a drive signal is output from the power supply unit 26 of the light source unit 20 provided in the control unit 18 to each light emitting element 27a, 27b, 27c, and each light emitting element 27a, 27b, 27c emits light. Then, the light output from each light emitting element 27a, 27b, 27c is incident on the incident surface of the light projecting fiber 8 provided in each optical sensor 5, 6, 7. The light incident on the light projecting fiber 8 is emitted from the exit surface of the light projecting fiber 8.

  The sensor end portions 5 a, 6 a, 7 a of the optical sensors 5, 6, 7 are held in a state of being arranged at predetermined pitches in the vertical direction with respect to the slider 3. The light emitted from the light is condensed by the optical lens 10 and emitted forward.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the slider 3 moves in the horizontal direction while maintaining a certain distance with respect to the opposing surface of the sheet stack 11. At that time, when the light emitted from each light projecting fiber 8 is applied to the end face of the sheet laminate 11, spot light 5b, 6b, 7b is formed on this end face. Since the sensor tip portions 5 a, 6 a, 7 a of the respective optical sensors 5, 6, 7 are opposed substantially at right angles to the end surface of the sheet laminate 11, the spot irradiated to the end surface of the sheet laminate 11 The lights 5b, 6b, and 7b are reflected substantially at right angles, and enter the incident surface of the light receiving fiber 9 provided at each sensor tip 5a, 6a, and 7a. Accordingly, it is possible to receive reflected light with little irregular reflection, and to obtain good sensitivity.

  When the corrugated cardboard sheet 12 laminated on the sheet laminate 11 is a double-sided cardboard, the liners 15 and 16 are pasted on both sides of the core material 14, and a large number of these are laminated. As shown in a), when the spot lights 5b, 6b, and 7b pass over the liners 15 and 16, the spot lights 5b, 6b, and 7b are irradiated to the end faces of the liners 15 and 16 almost simultaneously. Further, since the adjacent cardboard sheets 12 are joined to the liner 15 of the adjacent cardboard sheet 12 with the liner 15 of one cardboard sheet 12, the spot light 5b is applied to the liners 15 and 16 of the adjacent cardboard sheets 12. , 6b, 7b, the reflected light is continuously reflected between the liners 15, 16 adjacent to each other.

  On the other hand, when the spot lights 5b, 6b, and 7b pass over the core material 14, the core material 14 is formed in a waveform, and the interval d between the spot lights 5b, 6b, and 7b is the top of the core material 14. It is formed so that it is narrower than the space | interval P between surfaces, and the sum total (2d) of the space | interval d between each spot light 5b, 6b, 7b becomes a width | variety wider than the space | interval P between the top surfaces 14a of the core material 14. Therefore, all the spot lights 5b, 6b, 7b are not irradiated onto the end face of the core material 14 almost simultaneously.

  Accordingly, when the spot lights 5b, 6b, and 7b emitted from the emission surface of the light projecting fiber 8 provided in each of the optical sensors 5, 6, and 7 pass on the liners 15 and 16 of the corrugated cardboard sheet 12, The reflected lights of the lights 5b, 6b, and 7b are incident on the incident surfaces of the corresponding light receiving fibers 9. On the other hand, when the spot lights 5b, 6b and 7b pass over the core material 14 of the corrugated cardboard sheet 12, the core material 14 is formed in a waveform, so that at least one spot light 5b (or 6b and 7b) is The light is emitted to the gap portion 17.

  Accordingly, light is received by the light receiving elements 22, 23, 24 disposed in the light receiving unit 21 provided in the control unit 18 to which the sensor bases of the respective optical sensors 5, 6, 7 are connected, and each pulse generating circuit 28, As shown in FIGS. 4B to 4C, when the spot lights 5b, 6b and 7b pass over the liners 15 and 16 of the corrugated cardboard sheet 12, the signals output from the 29 and 30 are almost the same. The H signal is output. On the other hand, when the spot lights 5b, 6b, and 7b pass on the core material 14 of the corrugated cardboard sheet 12, one or two spot lights 5b, 6b, and 7b irradiated on the end surface of the core material 14 depending on the position. The H signal is output from only the pulse generation circuits 28, 29, and 30 connected to.

  Signals output from the pulse generation circuits 28, 29, and 30 are input to the input terminal of the AND circuit 33 provided in the inspection calculation unit 25. FIG. 4E shows a signal output from the output terminal of the AND circuit 33. When the H signal is simultaneously input to the pulse generation circuits 28, 29, and 30 from the output terminal of the AND circuit 33, the H signal is output.

  A signal output from the output terminal of the AND circuit 33 is input to the number calculation circuit 34. In the sheet number calculating circuit 34, the H signal output from the AND circuit 33 is counted, and the sheet number T is calculated in accordance with a preset arithmetic expression. For example, in the case where the sheet laminate 11 has laminated sheet-like double-sided corrugated cardboard sheets as the corrugated cardboard sheet 12, the value obtained by subtracting 1 from the count value c is the number of sheets T (T = c-1).

  When the laminated corrugated sheet 12 is a flat double-sided corrugated cardboard that has been processed to form a corrugated cardboard box, 1/2 of the value obtained by subtracting 1 from the count value c is the number of sheets T (T = ( c-1) / 2). When the corrugated cardboard sheet 12 is a double-sided corrugated cardboard, ½ of the value obtained by subtracting 1 from the count value c is the sheet number T (T = (c−1) / 2).

  Then, the sheet number T calculated by the sheet number calculating circuit 34 is output to the monitor 19. In this case, the number of sheets stacked in the sheet stack 11 is input to the number calculation circuit 34 in advance, and when the set number of stacked sheets matches the calculated sheet number T, a signal for displaying “OK” on the monitor 19 is output. If the calculated number of sheets T does not match the number of stacked sheets, a signal for displaying “NG” may be output.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the number of stacked cardboard sheets 12 bound to the sheet stack 11 is automatically measured, so that the number inspection can be performed in a short time and accurately. In addition, since the spot light is irradiated and the number of sheets is calculated based on the reflected light, the signal processing is simplified and the cost can be reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to use an imaging means such as a CCD, the space can be used effectively. In addition, since it is a non-contact type, operation failure is less likely to occur than in the contact type, maintenance can be simplified, and management of the apparatus is facilitated.

  FIG. 6 shows a sheet number measurement routine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment described above, the sheet number T is calculated by a hardware method using the AND circuit 33 and the sheet number calculating circuit 34. However, the sheet number T can also be calculated by software by a program.

  That is, the inspection calculation unit 25 shown in FIG. 3 is configured by a computer, and the following flowchart is executed by the CPU of the computer.

  First, in step S1, the output signals of the pulse generation circuits 28, 29, and 30 are read. In step S2, it is checked whether or not the H signal is output from all the pulse generation circuits 28, 29, and 30. If not, the process returns to step S1. Further, when the H signal is output from all the pulse generation circuits 28, 29 and 30, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S3, the count value c is incremented (c = c + 1), and the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, it is checked whether or not the slider 3 has reached the moving end. If not, the process returns to step S1. If the moving end has been reached, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, the number T of sheets is calculated based on the count value c. When the cardboard sheet 12 is a sheet-like double-sided cardboard, the calculation formula is T = c−1. This calculation formula is set for each type of cardboard sheet 12.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S6, where the calculated sheet number T is output to the monitor 19 and the routine is terminated.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since the number of sheets T is calculated by a software method using a program, high versatility can be obtained.

  FIG. 7 shows an explanatory view corresponding to FIG. 4 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the sensor front end portions 5a, 6a, and 7a of the respective optical sensors 5, 6, and 7 are arranged obliquely with their positions shifted with respect to the moving direction. This deviation amount is set in the range of the thickness of the liners 15 and 16.

  In this embodiment, the sensor front end portions 5a, 6a, and 7a are obliquely shifted within the range of the plate thickness of the liners 15 and 16, so that they are provided in the optical sensors 5, 6, and 7 as shown in FIG. Since the spot lights 5b, 6b, and 7b emitted from the emission surface of the light projecting fiber 8 are irradiated obliquely in the moving direction with respect to the liners 15 and 16, for example, there is a gap between adjacent cardboard sheets 12. Even if they are formed, the inspection calculation unit 25 can detect them continuously, so that high detection accuracy can be obtained.

  The optical sensors 5, 6 and 7 may be arranged in a staggered manner in the moving direction within the range of the plate thickness of the liners 15 and 16, in addition to being arranged obliquely in the moving direction.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, four or more optical sensors may be arranged in the vertical direction.

  Alternatively, the number of sheets may be counted by detecting the core material 14 of the cardboard sheet 12. That is, after the H signal is output from one or two pulse generation circuits 28, 29, and 30 and when the L signal is output from all the pulse generation circuits 28, 29, and 30, the count is performed by counting. The sheet number T is calculated from the value c.

  Further, the light projecting fiber 8 may be eliminated, and the light emitting elements 27a, 27b, and 27c may be directly disposed on the slider 3. Alternatively, the light receiving fiber 9 may be omitted, and the light receiving elements 22, 23, and 24 may be directly disposed on the slider 3, or both of them may be combined.

  In addition, the object of the number inspection is not limited to the corrugated cardboard sheet 12, as long as a void is formed along the sheet surface from one end surface to the other end surface direction like a honeycomb body, a ceramic sheet, The present invention can also be applied to the sheet laminate 11 that is bound in a state where other sheet materials are laminated.

  Of course, when the sheet stack 11 is placed on the inspection table 1 while being stacked in the vertical direction and the number of sheets is measured, the guide table 2 is erected and the slider 3 is moved in the vertical direction along the guide table 2. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to such a case.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sheet number measuring device according to a first embodiment. Same as above, a cross-sectional plan view of the sensor tip of the optical sensor and the sheet laminate Same configuration diagram of control unit Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the spot light which scans the end surface of a sheet | seat laminated body, and the pulse output from a pulse generation circuit similarly Same as above, circuit diagram of inspection operation unit The flowchart which shows the sheet number measurement routine by the 2nd form Explanatory drawing equivalent to FIG. 4 by 3rd form

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inspection stage 2 ... Guide table 3 ... Slider 5, 6, 7 ... Optical sensor 5b, 6b, 7b ... Spot light 8 ... Light emitting fiber 9 ... Light receiving fiber 11 ... Sheet laminated body 12 ... Corrugated cardboard sheet 14 ... Core material 14a ... Top face 15, 16 ... Liner 17 ... Gap 18 ... Control unit 22,23,24 ... Light receiving element 25 ... Inspection calculation part 27a, 27b, 27c ... Light emitting element 28,29,30 ... Pulse generation circuit 32 ... Calculation part 33 ... AND circuit 34 ... Number of sheets calculation circuit P ... Pitch T ... Number of sheets c ... Count value d ... Interval

Claims (6)

In the sheet number measuring apparatus for measuring the number of stacked sheet materials in which a plurality of rows of gaps are formed at substantially constant intervals along the sheet surface direction,
At least three photosensors arranged along the arrangement direction of the gaps and facing the end surface of the sheet material where the gaps are formed;
Moving means for moving each of the optical sensors along the stacking direction of the sheet material;
Sheet material detection means for detecting the passage of the sheet material based on the reflected light from the end face of the sheet material received by the optical sensors;
A sheet number measuring apparatus, comprising: a sheet number calculating means for counting the number of sheet materials when the sheet material detecting means detects passage of the sheet material.   2. The sheet number measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an interval between each of the photosensors is held in a state in which the interval is set narrower than a maximum width in the column direction of one of the gaps. Each of the optical sensors includes a light projecting fiber and at least one light receiving fiber that is bundled substantially parallel to the light projecting fiber at an end of the light projecting fiber on the light emitting side. 3. The sheet number measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light emitted from the fiber is irradiated at a substantially right angle with respect to the end face of the sheet material, and the reflected light is received by the light receiving fiber.   4. The sheet number measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the optical sensors is disposed so as to be shifted in a moving direction of the moving unit.   5. The sheet number measuring apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a deviation amount of each of the optical sensors is set in a range of a thickness of the liner of the sheet material in a moving direction of the moving means. The sheet material is composed of a liner and a corrugated core material bonded to the liner,
6. The sheet number measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an interval between the optical sensors is narrower than an interval between adjacent peaks of the corrugated core material.

Images